Radio controlled hydraulic disc brake for in-line skates

ABSTRACT

One handheld radio controlled transmitter communicates with an electrical circuit board on each skate. The electrical circuit controls one battery powered dc motor linear actuator driven hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pressure created from the hydraulic pump is directly related to how much electrical current is consumed by the dc motor. The electrical current is monitored and the dc motor will move forward creating hydraulic pressure or move in reverse removing pressure. The hydraulic pressure depends on how far down or up the transmitter button is pressed. The hydraulic pump is connected to a lead screw and master piston. The hydraulic fluid travels from the master cylinder through tubing to a pair of slave cylinders on each wheel. The slave cylinders press against the disc brake pads, which press against the in-line wheel hub when the skater needs to slow or stop.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0001] Handheld radio controlled DC motor linear actuator driven hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pressure created from the hydraulic pump is controlled through software in the hydraulic pump circuit board. The hydraulic fluid travels from the pump through small tubing to disc brakes on each wheel. The Skater simultaneously activates two hydraulic pumps one on each skate, with one three position radio frequency transmitter button. The first position on the RF transmitter button is programmed for the lowest hydraulic pressure, slowing the skater, the second position on the RF transmitter button is programmed for a higher hydraulic pressure, stopping the skater, the third position on the RF transmitter button is programmed for the highest hydraulic pressure, abrupt stopping. At any time when the skater release the transmitter button the hydraulic pressure is released and the brakes turn off.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0002] (FIG. 1) Semi assembled view of skate invention. Missing from drawing is a portion of the chassis (29). This was done for easy view of internal parts.

[0003] (FIG. 2) An exploded view of the assembled hand-held radio transmitter (36) can be worn like a wrist watch or wrapped around fingers.

[0004] (FIG. 3) Enlarged internal view of hydraulic pump (1) and its components.

[0005] (FIG. 4) Side view of the assembled in-line skate invention (39).

[0006] (FIG. 5) Inner view of skate chassis (29).

[0007] (FIG. 6) Enlarged view of the pump case end caps (21).

[0008] (FIG. 7) Enlarged view of the pump case body (21) and anti-rotation guide (35).

[0009] (FIG. 8) Enlarged view of the water proof seals (19 & 20) for pump case.

[0010] (FIG. 9) Enlarged view of the DC motor (12), gear (14) and re-chargeable lithium ion battery (10).

[0011] (FIG. 10) Enlarged view of the lead screw (15).

[0012] (FIG. 11) Enlarged view of the stationary bronze nut (16) and anti-rotation (17).

[0013] (FIG. 12) Enlarged view of the master cylinder (22) and brake pad compression springs (5).

[0014] (FIG. 13) Enlarged view of the slave cylinder (31) and brake pad quick release pin (37).

[0015] (FIG. 14) Enlarged view of the brake pad dust cover (3) and wheel disc (9).

[0016] (FIG. 15) Enlarged view of the slave pistons (33) pointing out the o-ring grove.

[0017] (FIG. 16) Enlarged view of the master piston (7).

[0018] (FIG. 17) Enlarged view of the brake pad (2) and brake pad holder (32).

[0019] (FIG. 18) Enlarged view of the wheel (36) less the disc (9).

[0020] (FIG. 19) Enlarged view of the transmitter case (33).

[0021] (FIG. 20) Enlarged view of the transmitter button (24).

[0022] (FIG. 21) Enlarged view of the transmitter circuit board (34).

[0023] (FIG. 22) Enlarged view of the hydraulic pump circuit board (11) which shows a break down of the lithium ion battery charge/discharge circuits (29), radio receiver circuits (25), DC motor circuits (27), pressure sensor (28), micro controller (26), power button (18), sensor dial (40), AC wall adapter jack (13).

[0024] (FIG. 23) Enlarged view of the power button (18) and power button holder (38).

[0025] (FIG. 24) Actual size photo of the working hydraulic pump circuit board (11).

[0026] (FIG. 25) Enlarged view of the bleeder (4) and bleeder plug (23).

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

[0027] Annual sales of the in-line skating industry have leveled out. One reason is because of occurring injuries as a result of a lack of a safe, reliable braking system. The most common braking style in use is a rubber stopper located on the heel of one of the skates. The skater actuates the brakes by tilting that skate with the brake upward. The rubber stopper makes contact with the skating surface and slows skater. This method of stopping is unorthodox and difficult. Another method similar to my invention is U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,468. This invention does not include rubber brake pads or a bleeder to remove air from the system, brake pad return springs and brake pad dust covers. My inventions pump circuit boards (11) software combined with the mechanical design always keeps the brake pads (2) 0.02 inch from the wheel disc (9) no matter how worn down the brake pads (2) become. Two important differences between my invention and U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,468 is my invention controls the hydraulic pressure in the system using a pressure sensor (28) mounted on the pump circuit board (11). This pressure sensor (28) preciously controls the three different hydraulic pressure measurements in the hydraulic system. The other method I'm using to control the three different hydraulic measurements is limiting the amount of current supplied to the motor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,468 relies on the skaters ability to sense the required braking pressure needed. Often this can result in too much applied pressure in the hydraulic system and results in wheels locking. My invention uses a DC motor (12), gear (14), lead screw (15) and stationery bronze nut (16) to actuate the master piston (17) which creates the pressure in the hydraulic system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,468 doesn't say or explain how the source of energy is created to activate the master piston (U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,468 refers to the master piston as a plunger). Maybe they use a CO2 driven actuator or pneumatic driven actuator or perhaps a hydrogen driven actuator. 

I claim:
 1. A in-line skate braking system comprising of: Skate chassis that house wheels, boots, radio controlled hydraulic pumps, oil lines, air bleeder, quick release compression spring return disc brake pads, dust covers. radio controlled handheld transmitter
 2. As in claim 1 one radio controlled handheld transmitter that communicates with a radio receiver and dc motor controller electronic circuit on each skate.
 3. As in claim 1 each skate has one hydraulic pump consisting electronic control circuits, one battery powered dc motor and planetary gear driven linear actuator with the lead screw connected to a master piston.
 4. As in claim 1 when the hydraulic pump is activated, oil travels down thru oil lines, which connect in series a pair of slave pistons and disc brake pads located on opposite sides of each skate wheel. the disc brake pads apply pressure to the wheel-hub slowing skater.
 5. As in claim 1 when the braking system is un-activated a pair of compression return springs connected to each disc brake pad pull the disc brake pad away from the wheel relieving pressure applied to the wheel hub.
 6. As in claim 1 each skates radio controlled hydraulic pump electronic circuits recognizes how far down the transmitter control button is compressed and will turn the dc motor clock wise and monitor the dc motors current.
 7. As in claim 1 the further down the transmitter button is compressed, the more current is applied to the dc motor; thus applying more braking force.
 8. As in claim 1 each skates radio controlled hydraulic pump electronic circuits recognizes how much the transmitter control button is released and will turn the dc motor counter clock wise and monitor the dc motors current.
 9. As in claim 1 the further up the transmitter button is released, the less current applied to the dc motor; thus applying less braking force.
 10. As in claim 1 each disc brake pad has a dust cover, keeping dust from disc brake pads and slave pistons.
 11. As in claim 1 each compression return spring has a quick release pin for easy removal of each disc brake pad.
 12. As in claim 1 the hydraulic pump is removable for easy access to fill up master cylinder with hydraulic fluid. 